Categories: Movie ReviewReviews

[Review] ‘STRANGE WORLD’ spins a classic sci-fi adventure with wondrous vision, thoughtful lessons

UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE STORY – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Strange World” introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land. The original action-packed comedy adventure features the voices of Dennis Quaid as legendary larger-than-life explorer Jaeger Clade; Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things. Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who finally finds the adventure he’s always wanted; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, fearless leader of the mythical Avalonia who spearheads an exploration into a strange world. “Strange World” opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 23, 2022. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Preston Barta // Features Editor

STRANGE WORLD

Rated PG, 102 minutes.
Opens Wednesday in theaters nationwide.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest feature, Strange World, just may be the family event of the season at the movies. The multigenerational, sci-fi adventure may not feature all the song-and-dance numbers to hog radios to and from family functions, but it supplies many fruitful thoughts and memorable images to discuss and treasure.

The story follows the Clade family (voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union, Dennis Quaid, and one adorable three-legged dog named Legend) – a group of legendary explorers who embark on a journey to a mysterious place inhabited by weird creatures in order to save their world.

Packed with an Avatar’s worth of wonder and stunningly animated imagery, Strange World wrangles together a fun exploration through the unknown with wobbly, fantastical creatures. The upbeat tone, big action sequences, and its centering on the importance of each role in our ecosystems has the power to expand the viewer’s interests in science, health, environment and community.

Prepared to be wowed and feel a stronger chase toward horizons!

Grade: A–

Preston Barta

I have been working as a film journalist since 2010, dividing the first four years between radio broadcasting and entertainment writing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 2014, I entered Fresh Fiction (FreshFiction.tv) as the features editor. The following year, I stepped into the film critic position at the Denton Record-Chronicle, a daily North Texas print publication. My time is dedicated to writing theatrical film reviews, at-home entertainment columns, and conducting interviews with on-screen talent and filmmakers, as well as hosting a podcast devoted to genre filmmaking (called My Bloody Podcast). I've been married for ten happy years, and I have one son who is all about dinosaurs just like his dad.